Rosh Hodesh Kislev | ראש חודש כיסלו

Anita Rabinoff-Goldman quilt of Vayishlach

Welcoming Kislev

As we welcome the Hebrew month of Kislev, we are pleased to share artist Anita Rabinoff-Goldman's Parashat Vayishlach drash (below) and quilt square (right)—one of her artistic responses to the 54 portions of the Torah on display at Hebrew College's Centennial art exhibit "Seeing Torah: A Visual Midrash." The exhibit is on display until December 10 in Hebrew College's Cutler Gallery (masks required.) We also invite you to join us for our alumni-led talks about the exhibit.

Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.
(Genesis 32:25)

Jacob is in a moment of transition, about to face the brother he deceived so many years ago. He confronts his demons and goes within as he prepares to meet Esau. — Anita Rabinoff-Goldman

The Voice of Jacob, the Hands of Esau
Parashat Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9)
By Rabbi Neal Gold, Jewish Chaplain & Hillel Director at Babson College

From the beginning, Esau isn’t just an individual in a story; he is an archetype for the forces that oppose his brother’s spiritual success. And Jacob, of course, will wrestle his way into becoming Israel, the namesake of the Jewish people.

If we’re speaking of archetypes—and the Torah makes clear that we are—then the “voice of Jacob” and the “hands of Esau” are—not what they appear to be!

Why We Say "70 Faces of Torah"

The ancient rabbinic expression “70 Faces (or Facets) of Torah” is a simultaneous call for epistemological humility and interpretive creativity. It is a reminder that only the Divine possesses ultimate truth and that as finite seekers, we need the contributions of many distinct voices. Torah can be compared to a precious gem that refracts differently based on one’s perspective. We, must, therefore, “turn it and turn it” in the company of passionate and compassionate teachers, students, and peers, who each bring their own unique gifts—“faces”—to the ongoing search for light and life.

By Rabbi Or Rose, Director of the Miller Center for Interreligious Leadership & Learning & Founding Editor of the Hebrew College Seventy Faces of Torah blog

Torah and the Arts

"In this tender and uncertain time in our world, what a blessing to experience the gift of beauty through the work of artists who connect us to the stories and texts that are timeless, who have the capacity to see beauty in the diversity of creation, and who strive to touch that which is transcendent."
— Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, President of Hebrew College

Listen to President Anisfeld's teaching on "Why do the arts matter?" during last week's Jewish Arts Collaborative's (JArts) "Creativity Connects Shabbat." Hebrew College is excited to deepen our partnership with JArts as part of our new shared campus.

Watch now

CALL FOR ART CENTERED ON TORAH
"Remember, Renew, Reimagine: Hebrew College at 100"

Hebrew College is mounting an exhibition entitled, "Remember, Renew, Reimagine: Hebrew College at 100" in celebration of its centennial year.

In keeping with the mission of the school: "Reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world," this exhibition will center on Torah, reflecting inspirations from its teaching, traditions, and rituals. Artists are invited to submit works in a variety of media. The curators will select works that demonstrate how artists in the Hebrew College community are actively "Remembering," "Renewing" and "Reimagining" the tradition through the visual arts (2D and 3D), poetry, music, and performances.

We will present the exhibit in our Cutler Atrium on campus from April 1 to June 15, 2022, when we will also offer a variety of related programs. Submission deadline: February 1, 2022. Learn more about submission requirements.

Learn more about our Centennial year

JEWISH LEARNING & LEADERSHIP FOR OUR DIVERSE AND INTERCONNECTED WORLD

Please help open the doors of Jewish learning to students of all backgrounds and ages—and join Hebrew College in making our lives more meaningful, our communities more vibrant, and our world more whole. Your gift of any amount will make a real difference. Make a gift.

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